Michael Finewax

Expert Analysis

2014 NHL Draft: First Round

Ekblad is a confident player who has NHL size, toughness, skating ability and the smarts to play in the NHL next year, and eventually become a top-pair stalwart. He is an excellent two-way blueliner, with a three-zone game and a balance between his offensive and defensive game. Ekblad is skilled with the puck, his shot is heavy and accurate and he possesses great vision and poise. He complements his offensive game well with ruggedness, an active stick and solid positioning on the defensive side. He is very hard on himself and could stand to be more physically assertive at the next level. In 2013-14, Barrie's captain was named the OHL's most outstanding defenseman, leading all rearguards with 23 goals and finishing finishing tied for fifth with 53 points. There was a lot of speculation that the Panthers might deal this pick, but in Ekblad they're getting a player that will make an immediate impact in the NHL.

Sam Reinhart’s elite hockey sense, offensive skill and excellent character have scouts raving about a special NHL career for the nicely built 6’1, 186 pound center. During the past 14 months, Reinhart has captained Team Canada to a gold medal at the U18 World Championships, participated in the World Junior Hockey Championships, scored 128 points in 73 games for Kootenay during the WHL regular season and playoffs and now follows his dad and two older brothers to be drafted into the NHL. Reinhart sees, thinks and understands the game better than anyone in the class of 2014. He is solid on faceoffs, backchecks hard, kills penalties, supports his defensemen down low and is not afraid to get dirty and block shots. Reinhart makes his linemates better, much like Henrik Sedin does in Vancouver, and his professional, humble and focused demeanor will allow him to take a leadership, top-six role in the years to come with the Buffalo Sabres.

Back home they call him "The German Gretzky," and Leon Draisaitl has already made waves as the highest drafted German player in history. The 6"1, 208 pound center combines power and playmaking to torment opponents, as he notched 105 points in 64 games with the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL. He also captained Germany’s World Juniors squad, garnering six points in as many games with 52 penalty minutes. The 18 year-old is a pass-first player who reads the game very well, he is decent playing in the defensive zone but needs to become a better skater. He hulks over the puck like Joe Thornton, and appears to be ready to move up a level from the WHL and blossom into a top-six forward in the big show. Draisaitl adds some nice size down the middle for a team lacking it, and in a conference that commands it. He'll be a nice complementary player to go with the Oilers' flashy wingers.

Sam Bennett is among the class of 2014’s fiercest competitors. The six-foot, 178 pound center is an elite playmaker and ferocious forechecker, keeping opponents consistently on their toes. Bennett had a breakout season in the 2013-14 OHL season, notching 36 goals and 91 points in just 57 games. He has the enviable ability to elevate his play in crunch time, using guts and talent to be a game breaker. The 18 year-old plays in all situations, and many believe he has the tools and drive to be a Jonathan Toews-type player. Bennett is a quick, creative and versatile forward, able to draw in opponents when he has the puck, and then make difficult passes through ifted vision and awareness. Bennett needs to get bigger and stronger, but it should not take long for him to make the leap to the NHL. He will make a dynamite one-two punch with Sean Monahan, possibly as early as this upcoming season.

Michael Dal Colle is a speedy, powerful winger with an imposing frame whose soft, quick hands have generated 39 goals and 95 points in 67 games for the OHL’s Oshawa Generals this past season. He is a versatile player who contributes in all three zones, and can impact a game through his speed, his toughness, along the boards and on the penalty kill. What sets him apart is his ability to do all that while honing elite offensive skills. Dal Colle is not a flashy player, but his solid puck carrying, shooting and passing skills compliment his strong body and we expect him to have a long career as a top-six NHL forward. That being said, he will have a tough time sticking with the Islanders in 2014-15.

Virtanen is the full package; a massive power forward with explosive speed and a lightening shot. The six-foot, 208 pounder is a decent playmaker with great vision who excels at taking the puck to the net and pounding his opponents with his size and drive. He was a 45-goal scorer this past season with the Calgary Hitmen, notching 71 points in as many games as a WHL sophomore. He plays a style similar to Jarome Iginla, and torments defensemen with his quick acceleration and gifted ability to put the puck in the net. He should end up as a tough, offensive-minded top-six forward in the NHL, but he may be a year or two away from making his way to the big show.

7. Carolina - Hadyn Fleury - (D) Red Deer Rebels

Forward Brenden Morrow was his babysitter as a three-year-old, and now Fleury will try to follow his lead and become the third player from Carlyle, Saskatchewan to make the NHL. Fleury is a rangy, but strong defenseman who is a good skater with excellent defensive instincts. He is physical, especially along the walls, but he is also very disciplined. His skating ability helps as he’s not forced to take penalties to prevent scoring chances. Fleury’s angle work against opposing forwards has room to improve, and he could stand be more aggressive in taking the body. Though he led Red Deer defenseman with 46 points, he is not considered an impact player offensively right now as the creativity is lacking. He picks his spots in joining the rush, and he needs to work on getting shots through and making the repeated crisp first pass out of the zone. Experience is all he needs to fulfill the promise of becoming a shutdown defenseman, and eventually a second-pair power-play contributor.

William Nylander might have the greatest arsenal of offensive talent in the 2014 class. The son of former NHLer Michael Nylander, the undersized winger plays with exceptional poise, confidence and boasts incredible speed and puckhandling skills. Nylander is a lightweight, but can deke, dazzle and dangle through opponents effortlessly and instinctively finds the open man or puts the puck in the net himself. He tends to think he can do it all himself and that selfishness could knock him down the draft rankings. During April’s IIHF U18 World Championships, he generated a staggering 16 points for Sweden in just seven games. The 5’9, 169 pound small forward is a bit of a gamble, but his puck wizardry and hockey IQ could allow him to become a perennial top line talent in the NHL down the road. Nylander may need a season or two before he is NHL ready, but when he does arrive the Leafs will have a potentially dynamic offensive forward.

Nikolaj Ehlers is one of the most electrifying players of this draft class. His speed is off the charts, his shot is lethal while his hands are silky smooth. The 5'10" Danish winger dominated the QMJHL in his rookie season, notching 60 goals and 132 points in 79 games for the Halifax Mooseheads, including playoffs. Elhers is dynamic and fearless, able to pull off tricks at top speed and change direction on a dime. Ehlers needs to bulk up his 176-pound frame, but has the raw skills and competitive drive to make the same plays that Patrick Kane is able to do in the NHL. Due in part to his size, he's very unlikely to play in the NHL next season.

The Ducks acquired this selection from Ottawa in the Bobby Ryan deal. Ritchie is a hulking winger who boasts a 6"2, 226 pound frame. He can score as well as he managed to put up 74 points in 61 games for Peterborough in the OHL this past season and averaged over a point-per-game in the playoffs. He has impressive mobility for a giant, and when he’s skating and driving hard the winger is very difficult to stop. Ritchie can own the offensive zone, both on the boards and around the net,by his ability to win puck battles and create scoring chances. Ritchie's play could be inconsistent at times, but an 18 year-old this big and this skilled is not a common commodity.

Ekblad is a confident player who has NHL size, toughness, skating ability and the smarts to play in the NHL next year, and eventually become a top-pair stalwart. He is an excellent two-way blueliner, with a three-zone game and a balance between his offensive and defensive game. Ekblad is skilled with the puck, his shot is heavy and accurate and he possesses great vision and poise. He complements his offensive game well with ruggedness, an active stick and solid positioning on the defensive side. He is very hard on himself and could stand to be more physically assertive at the next level. In 2013-14, Barrie's captain was named the OHL's most outstanding defenseman, leading all rearguards with 23 goals and finishing finishing tied for fifth with 53 points. There was a lot of speculation that the Panthers might deal this pick, but in Ekblad they're getting a player that will make an immediate impact in the NHL.

Sam Reinhart’s elite hockey sense, offensive skill and excellent character have scouts raving about a special NHL career for the nicely built 6’1, 186 pound center. During the past 14 months, Reinhart has captained Team Canada to a gold medal at the U18 World Championships, participated in the World Junior Hockey Championships, scored 128 points in 73 games for Kootenay during the WHL regular season and playoffs and now follows his dad and two older brothers to be drafted into the NHL. Reinhart sees, thinks and understands the game better than anyone in the class of 2014. He is solid on faceoffs, backchecks hard, kills penalties, supports his defensemen down low and is not afraid to get dirty and block shots. Reinhart makes his linemates better, much like Henrik Sedin does in Vancouver, and his professional, humble and focused demeanor will allow him to take a leadership, top-six role in the years to come with the Buffalo Sabres.

Back home they call him "The German Gretzky," and Leon Draisaitl has already made waves as the highest drafted German player in history. The 6"1, 208 pound center combines power and playmaking to torment opponents, as he notched 105 points in 64 games with the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL. He also captained Germany’s World Juniors squad, garnering six points in as many games with 52 penalty minutes. The 18 year-old is a pass-first player who reads the game very well, he is decent playing in the defensive zone but needs to become a better skater. He hulks over the puck like Joe Thornton, and appears to be ready to move up a level from the WHL and blossom into a top-six forward in the big show. Draisaitl adds some nice size down the middle for a team lacking it, and in a conference that commands it. He'll be a nice complementary player to go with the Oilers' flashy wingers.

Sam Bennett is among the class of 2014’s fiercest competitors. The six-foot, 178 pound center is an elite playmaker and ferocious forechecker, keeping opponents consistently on their toes. Bennett had a breakout season in the 2013-14 OHL season, notching 36 goals and 91 points in just 57 games. He has the enviable ability to elevate his play in crunch time, using guts and talent to be a game breaker. The 18 year-old plays in all situations, and many believe he has the tools and drive to be a Jonathan Toews-type player. Bennett is a quick, creative and versatile forward, able to draw in opponents when he has the puck, and then make difficult passes through ifted vision and awareness. Bennett needs to get bigger and stronger, but it should not take long for him to make the leap to the NHL. He will make a dynamite one-two punch with Sean Monahan, possibly as early as this upcoming season.

Michael Dal Colle is a speedy, powerful winger with an imposing frame whose soft, quick hands have generated 39 goals and 95 points in 67 games for the OHL’s Oshawa Generals this past season. He is a versatile player who contributes in all three zones, and can impact a game through his speed, his toughness, along the boards and on the penalty kill. What sets him apart is his ability to do all that while honing elite offensive skills. Dal Colle is not a flashy player, but his solid puck carrying, shooting and passing skills compliment his strong body and we expect him to have a long career as a top-six NHL forward. That being said, he will have a tough time sticking with the Islanders in 2014-15.

Virtanen is the full package; a massive power forward with explosive speed and a lightening shot. The six-foot, 208 pounder is a decent playmaker with great vision who excels at taking the puck to the net and pounding his opponents with his size and drive. He was a 45-goal scorer this past season with the Calgary Hitmen, notching 71 points in as many games as a WHL sophomore. He plays a style similar to Jarome Iginla, and torments defensemen with his quick acceleration and gifted ability to put the puck in the net. He should end up as a tough, offensive-minded top-six forward in the NHL, but he may be a year or two away from making his way to the big show.

7. Carolina - Hadyn Fleury - (D) Red Deer Rebels

Forward Brenden Morrow was his babysitter as a three-year-old, and now Fleury will try to follow his lead and become the third player from Carlyle, Saskatchewan to make the NHL. Fleury is a rangy, but strong defenseman who is a good skater with excellent defensive instincts. He is physical, especially along the walls, but he is also very disciplined. His skating ability helps as he’s not forced to take penalties to prevent scoring chances. Fleury’s angle work against opposing forwards has room to improve, and he could stand be more aggressive in taking the body. Though he led Red Deer defenseman with 46 points, he is not considered an impact player offensively right now as the creativity is lacking. He picks his spots in joining the rush, and he needs to work on getting shots through and making the repeated crisp first pass out of the zone. Experience is all he needs to fulfill the promise of becoming a shutdown defenseman, and eventually a second-pair power-play contributor.

William Nylander might have the greatest arsenal of offensive talent in the 2014 class. The son of former NHLer Michael Nylander, the undersized winger plays with exceptional poise, confidence and boasts incredible speed and puckhandling skills. Nylander is a lightweight, but can deke, dazzle and dangle through opponents effortlessly and instinctively finds the open man or puts the puck in the net himself. He tends to think he can do it all himself and that selfishness could knock him down the draft rankings. During April’s IIHF U18 World Championships, he generated a staggering 16 points for Sweden in just seven games. The 5’9, 169 pound small forward is a bit of a gamble, but his puck wizardry and hockey IQ could allow him to become a perennial top line talent in the NHL down the road. Nylander may need a season or two before he is NHL ready, but when he does arrive the Leafs will have a potentially dynamic offensive forward.

Nikolaj Ehlers is one of the most electrifying players of this draft class. His speed is off the charts, his shot is lethal while his hands are silky smooth. The 5'10" Danish winger dominated the QMJHL in his rookie season, notching 60 goals and 132 points in 79 games for the Halifax Mooseheads, including playoffs. Elhers is dynamic and fearless, able to pull off tricks at top speed and change direction on a dime. Ehlers needs to bulk up his 176-pound frame, but has the raw skills and competitive drive to make the same plays that Patrick Kane is able to do in the NHL. Due in part to his size, he's very unlikely to play in the NHL next season.

The Ducks acquired this selection from Ottawa in the Bobby Ryan deal. Ritchie is a hulking winger who boasts a 6"2, 226 pound frame. He can score as well as he managed to put up 74 points in 61 games for Peterborough in the OHL this past season and averaged over a point-per-game in the playoffs. He has impressive mobility for a giant, and when he’s skating and driving hard the winger is very difficult to stop. Ritchie can own the offensive zone, both on the boards and around the net,by his ability to win puck battles and create scoring chances. Ritchie's play could be inconsistent at times, but an 18 year-old this big and this skilled is not a common commodity.

Fiala is a slick-skating Swiss forward who can break open a game with his elite offensive skills and excellent determination. The 5'9, 178 pounder is a slippery skater who controls the puck exceptionally well and has a wealthy arsenal of shooting tools. Fiala is a gritty player who drives into the dirty spots for scoring chances, but has a lot of work to do before breaking into professional hockey in North America. Fiala needs to get stronger, improve his defensive game drastically and learn how to better play a coaches’ system rather than acting on his own. But a few more years of productive seasoning will set Fiala up for a solid NHL career. Nashville has sorely lacked game breakers and high-upside forwards, and in time, Fiala could become just that at the NHL level.

Brendan Perlini is an enticing package of size, skill and speed who came from nowhere to be a first-round pick due to a breakout 71 point campaign in 58 games for the OHL’s Niagara Ice Dogs this past year. The 6"2, 205 pound winger is a smooth skater with elite acceleration and quickness amongst this year’s draft class. He is patient and has a knack for making the smart plays, but does not play to his size. He sometimes loses battles to smaller opponents and is not overly physical, but is still a solid contributor in all areas of the ice, including his own zone. Perlini thrives with the puck on his stick, and should grow into an offensively capable winger playing a Max Pacioretty-style game. Perlini may need a year or two to fully develop so don't expect to see him in the NHL during the 2014-15 campaign.

Jakub Vrana is a scoring winger who plays confidently, creatively and can unleash a remarkable shot. The 5'11", 172 pound Czech controls the game on his stick and creates quality scoring chances with masterful acceleration and all-around skill. Vrana fools goaltenders with a quick and accurate wrist shot, but is inconsistent defensively and has a lot of bulking up to do. Vrana was performing at over a point-per-game pace in Sweden’s junior league this season, but his success did not transfer well into the Elite League after he made the jump, managing just three points in 24 games. With a few years of on and off ice development, Vrana could play his way into a top-six role in the NHL as a scoring forward. The Capitals could certainly using the scoring depth after Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, but Vrana should be regarded as a bit of a project.

The Finnish-born defenseman shares the mindset of Erik Karlsson and models his game after him too. The 5-11, 180-pound Honka is a player you pay to see and is regarded as the best power-play quarterback in the WHL. He has a forward mentality, with great vision, elusiveness and a heavy shot. He handles the puck well and has quick-strike ability in transition due to his dynamic skating ability. At times, he's steps ahead of his teammates because his offensive instincts and awareness are off the charts. He relies on positioning and smarts on the defensive side, and though it is steady, it still needs to catch up to his offensive game, especially from a physical standpoint. He tallied 16 goals and 40 points for Swift Current and was a member of Finland’s gold-medal winning team at the World Juniors. The Stars have plenty of good, young defenders in their pipeline and Honka brings another element to that depth.

Larkin is a scrappy two-way center who consistently injects relentless energy in all three zones. Larkin has been a very good offensive weapon thus far throughout his career, but projects to be a secondary scorer in the NHL with the ability to shut down the opposition’s top line. The 6'1", 190-pounder is a gifted skater who pushes the pace of the game and is tough to push off the puck. With 29 goals and 49 points in 53 games this year in the USHL, Larkin created offense by making simple plays rather than pulling flashy, risky moves. Larkin will attend the University of Michigan this fall and is poised to develop into an effective NHL center a few years down the road. You know he'll be more than ready when the Red Wings decide he's ready.

Sonny Milano is a highly gifted forward with magic hands who can dictate the pace of the game with his dominant stickhandling and poise with the puck. He is a versatile, pass-first center and wing who averaged nearly an assist per game in the U.S. Development Program in 2013-14. In 58 games, Milano put up 28 goals and 86 points and constantly drew defenders away from the play,which opened up passing lanes. The six-foot, 183 pounder reads the game very well and possesses a skill set similar to U.S. Olympian T.J. Oshie. Milano could take two or three years to groom in the NCAA, but has the tools to emerge as a top-six forward in the NHL. We will follow his progress during the 2014-15 season while he plays for Boston College.

h the WHL Calgary Hitmen in 2013-14. Ever since Chris Pronger's career ended, the Flyers have been in a constant struggle to find high-end defenseman and while Sanheim will need some time to develop before he's NHL-ready, he certainly has top-four potential. That might not have been apparent even a year ago, but he's impressed scouts with the progress he's made. It helps that he now stands at 6'3", but he's also proven himself with and without the puck thanks in part to his smooth skating and poise.

Tuch is a towering, bulky winger with a powerful stride who can hit hard, forecheck and score. The Baldwinsville, N.Y. native put up an impressive 28 goals and 60 points in just 53 games in the USHL this season with 58 penalty minutes. Tuch is a robust forward who grinds into opponents with the puck, and protects his linemates with his big body. Many of Tuch’s goals come through his impressive ability to attack the net and tip in pucks from the point, but he also owns a sublime pair of hands that could dish out the puck. Tuch is committed to Boston College this autumn, and should develop into a gritty second line power forward in the future.

DeAngelo is an offensive-minded defenseman who led all Ontario Hockey League blueliners in assists (56) and points (71) during the 2013-14 campaign. He comes with baggage — he was suspended twice during the season for violating the OHL’s harassment, abuse and diversity policy. All the same, some see him as being the best offensive defenseman in the draft, with stellar stick-handling ability. NHL Network analyst Craig Button likens DeAngelo to Sergei Zubov. DeAngelo is a smooth skater, likes to join the rush and sees the ice very well; he is adept at the stretch pass. He possesses excellent offensive awareness and a good, accurate shot. His risk-reward game has improved, though his defensive positioning needs work and he needs to get stronger. DeAngelo is an exciting player who adds a dynamic offensive element on the back end for the Lightning, though it won't be immediately.

Nick Schmaltz is an offensive juggernaut who shreds defenses with elite stickhandling, passing and shooting skills. He is a superb skater who constantly finds ways to feed his linemates even when few options are apparent. The six-foot, 172 pound center needs to add considerable muscle and improve his play away from the puck, but when the disc finds his stick, Schmaltz displays elite skill and poise while honing flashy one-on-one abilities. Schmaltz is also known for rising to the occasion, seeming to play his best when the international spotlight is on him. The Green Bay Gambler posted 63 points in 55 USHL games this year, and should have a strong offensive impact when he’s ready to break into the NHL. It may take a season or two but Schmaltz will benefit from playing on the same squad as Patrick Kane, a player he can pattern his game after.

Fabbri is a small player with a big heart. The 5'10", 170 pound center attacks relentlessly and consistently sparks the offense with his lightening speed and special hands. Fabbri often takes initiative on offense, as he plays hard and physical, willing to chase down loose pucks while using vision and creativity to produce goals. The reigning OHL playoffs MVP posted 115 points in 74 games during Guelph’s championship run this season, while adding another six points in the Memorial Cup. Fabbri shot up draft boards this season and once he adds more muscle, he can be an energetic NHL center who stimulates the offense and heightens the pace of the game. He could develop into a top-six forward and although he still needs plenty of seasoning, the Blues can afford to take it slow with him.

Kapanen is the fast, intelligent, and the offensively gifted son of former NHLer of Sami Kapanen. Kapanen could break into the NHL as a productive playmaker. Kapanen is a dangerous sniper who is lethal off the rush by virtue of his great agility, soft hands and slick stickhandling creativity. He is not a very big or physical player, but his hockey sense and vision should help him develop into a game-breaker if he bulks up and can withstand the challenges from bigger, stronger defenders. His stats were not impressive playing among men in the Finnish Elite League, but Kapanen has a knack for reading the game well and making the right decision, which could help him land a coveted spot alongside Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin down the line.

23. Colorado - Conner Bleakley - (C) Red Deer Rebels

Bleackley is a high-character forward who plays a strong-two way game. A natural leader, Bleackley was the captain of WHL’s Red Deer Rebels at 17. He tallied 29 goals and 39 assists this past season as an 18-year-old, but his offensive upside won’t be his calling card. He’s a gritty, high-motor player who will battle in all zones. Bleackley is the type of glue guy all teams need because he brings energy and maturity to the lineup. He’s a versatile forward, capable of playing in the top six, but it’s more likely he fits in as a strong third-liner because he’s defensively responsible and smart in all three zones.

Jared McCann is an energetic, sharpshooting center who plays responsible defense and is on the ice in all situations. He compiled 62 points in 64 games for Sault Ste. Marie of the OHL this season, but was quite sporadic with his production. The six-foot, 175 pound forward posted 16 multi-point games for the Greyhounds, but was held off the scoresheet 27 times. Nevertheless, McCann is a strong character who has a dedicated work ethic, and can play a vital role for his team when he’s not scoring, similar to Red Wings’ center David Legwand. McCann should grow into a two-way NHL center with the ability to put up good numbers due to his speed and lethal shot. McCann will likely spend another season in junior hockey but could make his NHL debut in the 2015-16 campaign.

David Pastrnak is a brash, dazzling forward blessed with gifted hands and shifty feet that make him a dangerous offensive weapon. He has a bullet shot and his fluid mobility make him an outstanding finisher, while his awareness, skating and work ethic all torment opposing defenders. The 5'10", 165-pound forward has plenty of bulking up to do and must work on his defensive game, but should get good experience playing in the Swedish elite league with grown men. Pastrnak has the potential to be an Ales Hemsky type player after a few years of fine-tuning in Sweden. That should suit the Bruins fine as they have the depth necessarily to afford to wait for him.

Scherbak was the runner-up for WHL's 2014 rookie of the year after bringing his game to Saskatoon and posting 28 goals and 78 points in 65 games, twenty more points than the eventual winner. The six-foot Russian winger has proven to be a very coachable player who has improved by leaps and bounds throughout the season, especially in his defensive zone play. Scherbak is most dangerous in the offensive zone as he is a fast skater, great puckhandler and has a bomb of a shot. Scherbak also puts some sandpaper to his game, as he is willing to engage physically and pour on the pressure towards opposing defenses. Scherbak will grow and put on some more weight to his 172-pound frame, and if he continues to improve as much as he did in the WHL, he should be a gritty, highly productive NHL winger.

Goldobin oozes offensive ability, with high-end creativity and a plus wrist shot. The Russian winger has the rare ability to take over a game, as evidenced by his 38 goals and 94 points with the Sarnia Sting of the OHL. He has poise and confidence with the puck and has tremendous IQ on that end of the ice. While there aren’t questions about that side of his game, his play away from the puck and in the defensive zone are suspect. There are also questions about his work ethic and effort level. That being said, he has clear top-six upside, so if the Sharks get him to focus, the upside for him is exceptional.

Ho-Sang is one of the most dynamic offensive players available in the draft with exceptional skills. A creative player with a great set of hands, Ho-Sang projects as a top six forward. He led the Spitfires in scoring with 32 goals and 85 points in 2013-14 and would have been a top five pick but for behaviorial issues. Ho-Sang has been criticized about his attitude which has been described as selfish and immature by some. That said, he seems to have acknowledged his shortcomings and is looking for a fresh start. Ho-Sang is a high-risk high reward type of player. The Islanders could have a star on their hands or a problem. Time will tell.

Kempe is an aggressive power forward who fiercely forechecks, engages in puck battles and plays a strong defensive game. The 6'1", 178 pound Swede is an excellent skater who plays a physical, north-south game and handles the puck well under pressure. Kempe has a heavy shot and well-rounded skillset, making him an impact player at all ends of the ice. Kempe plays a similar style to Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky, and once he fills his big frame he can become a solid depth player with offensive upside in the NHL. The Kings weren't expected to get a gem with the late first rounder and they didn't, but that's what comes with winning the Stanley Cup.

The Devils originally didn't have a pick in the first round because of the Ilya Kovalchuk contract issue, but they ended up being awarded the last pick in the opening round of the 2014 draft. With it they picked the second cousin of Chicago coach and former Devil Joel Quenneville. He's a hard-working, two-way player who has good all round skills. He is capable of chipping in offensively, he projects to be a serviceable bottom-six forward at the NHL level.